The Top Engineer Qualifications You Should Look For

Did you know that in the UK, there is an engineering shortage? We can’t say the same in the US.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there’s an abundant supply of Ph.D.’s in the following fields: biomedical, chemistry, and physics. But there is a shortage of material science engineers, nuclear engineers, systems engineers, cybersecurity professionals, and intelligence professionals.

Now, whether you’re dealing with a surplus or crisis when it comes to engineer candidates, one thing is for sure. There are specific engineer qualifications you need to be aware of if you want to build your talent pool.

We’re talking about:

Knowledge and Experience

Some jobs don’t require prior knowledge and experience. This is probably how some graduates end up working in positions that are unrelated to their major. If you’re trying to fill an engineer job post, however, you can’t just hire anyone.

It goes without saying that the candidates should be knowledgeable in their field of study whether it’s mechanical engineering or software quality assurance or chemical engineering. They should also know how to properly apply that knowledge. Remember, grades are one thing, experience in solving problems and handling projects is another.

If you’re accepting fresh grads, check their resumes and look for leadership roles they have undertaken in college, relevant achievements, and of course, their engineer qualifications.

Teamwork Skills

It’s rare for engineers to work by themselves. This is because a typical engineering project would be too much work for just one person to handle. If you’re evaluating candidates, you need to be sure of their ability to work as part of a team.

This also includes how they communicate with non-engineers. Try to see how well they deal with clients or other people who may not be well-versed in technical language. Make sure you probe them well as to how effectively they can work with managers and other people involved in the project.

Creativity and Attention to Detail

Solving problems require both creativity and attention to detail. Someone who’s not very creative will not understand the big picture or what the project is trying to do. He or she will, therefore, be limited in applying knowledge in new ways to tackle the problem at hand.

But an engineer should also be able to deal with the minutiae of a project. No detail should be left to chance. Even the smallest mistake could cause the project to fail so the candidates you select must have a high level of attention to details.

Leadership and Management Skills

When you think of engineer qualifications, you shouldn’t just think of technical abilities. Consider leadership and management skills as well. Ask how a candidate will be able to manage more responsibility if he or she is asked to lead a team.

This is a good way to know if a certain candidate has what it takes to excel at his or her job. It’s crucial if you’re looking for someone who will someday mentor and motivate other engineers in the company.

Get a Detailed Engineer Qualifications Checklist

Let our qualified and experienced consultants help. We can provide a detailed engineer qualifications checklist that will help you nab the best talent out there.

Do you need more information about our IT consulting services? Call us at (650) 993-4275 or email us at info@ptsystems.com.